Maximilian Bröcher

• since 2020 PhD student at the Institute of Ecology and Evolution, FSU Jena
• 2020 M. Sc. in Evolution, Ecology and Systematics, FSU Jena
• 2017 B. Sc. in Biology, FSU Jena

I studied Ecology with focus on biodiversity research and with a particular interest in arthropods and how they contribute to ecosystem functioning. Arthropod consumers are important drivers of plant community assembly, plant diversity and providers of ecosystem functions. Furthermore, consumer-related functions as predation or herbivory transfer matter and energy from primary producers to higher trophic levels. Thus, using a food-web perspective I explore mechanisms of how arthropod consumers are affected by changes in plant communities and vice versa. In previous projects I investigated consumer-related functions in artificial flower strips. Currently, I use the framework of the Jena Experiment to conduct my research.

Bröcher, M., Ebeling, A., Hertzog, L., Roscher, C., Weisser, W. & Meyer, S.T. (2023). Effects of plant diversity on species-specific herbivory: patterns and mechanisms. Oecologia 201: 1053-1066. doi: 10.1007/s00442-023-05361-6External link